KR20210144765A - Pellets with additives - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure provides pellets. In one embodiment, the pellet comprises a body having a first end and an opposing second end. The body is made of a polymer material. The body has a length, a diameter (body diameter), and a channel. The channel has a diameter (channel diameter) and extends through the body from a first end to a second end. Inside the channel is an additive.

Description

Pellets with additives

Crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) is widely used for high voltage insulation of power transmission systems. One way to make XLPE is to use a silane/moisture curing process. In a silane/moisture curing process, silane is grafted to polyethylene in a reactive extrusion process in the presence of a peroxide initiator. The resulting silane grafted resin yields a silane crosslinked polyethylene.

Disadvantages of the silane/moisture curing process include environmental, health, and safety hazards associated with the handling and use of silanes and peroxides. In addition, the peroxide crosslinking of polyethylene produces by-products due to the decomposition of the peroxide. For example, a common crosslinking agent, dicumyl peroxide (DCP), typically decomposes and produces methane, acetophenone, and cumyl alcohol during polyethylene crosslinking. These cross-linking by-products can have a detrimental effect on the electrical properties of XPLE power cables.

The art recognizes an ongoing need to reduce the amount of peroxides and/or silanes during the silane/moisture curing process for crosslinking olefinic polymers and especially for crosslinking polyethylene.

The present disclosure provides pellets. In one embodiment, the pellet comprises a body having a first end and an opposing second end. The body is made of a polymer material. The body has a length, a diameter (body diameter), and a channel. The channel has a diameter (channel diameter) and extends through the body from a first end to a second end. Inside the channel is an additive.

Also provided are methods. The method includes forming pellets in a molten state, the pellets having a body, the body having a first end and an opposing second end. The body is made of a polymer material. The pellets have channels extending through the body from a first end to a second end. The method includes injecting the additive into the channel while the additive is in a fluid state. The method comprises the steps of solidifying a pellet and forming a loaded pellet, wherein the loaded pellet has an additive in the channel.

1A is a perspective view of pellets with an additive in the channel and a channel extending through the pellet body, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
1B is a perspective view of a hollow pellet with an additive in a channel, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the pellets taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 1B.
Figure 2b is a cross-sectional view of the pellets taken along the line 2B-2B of Figure 1b.
Figure 3 is an exploded view of the pellet of Figure 1b.
4A is a perspective view of a closed pellet in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of a closed pellet with an additive in the channel, taken along line 4B-4B of FIG. 4A ;

Justice

For U.S. patent practice, the content of any referenced patent, patent application, or publication is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety (or its corresponding U.S. version is so incorporated), and in particular, a disclosure of definitions ( to the extent not conflicting with any definitions specifically provided in this disclosure) and to the general knowledge in the art.

Numerical ranges disclosed herein include all values therebetween, including the lower and upper limits. For ranges inclusive of an explicit value (eg, 1, or 2, or 3 to 5, or 6, or 7), any subrange between any two explicit values is also included (eg, 1 to, or 7). 2; 2 to 6; 5 to 7; 3 to 7; 5 to 6; etc.).

The terms "comprising," "having," and their derivatives, whether or not specifically disclosed, are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step, or procedure. For the avoidance of doubt, all compositions claimed through use of the term "comprising" include, unless otherwise stated, any additional additives, adjuvants, or compounds (whether polymerized or not). can do. In contrast, the term “consisting essentially of” excludes from the scope of any subsequent description any other element, step, or procedure, excluding those that are not essential to operability. The term “consisting of” excludes any component, step, or procedure not specifically described or listed. The term “or” refers to the listed members individually as well as in any combination, unless stated otherwise. The use of the singular includes the use of the plural and vice versa.

All parts and percentages are by weight and all test methods are current as of the filing date of this disclosure, unless stated to the contrary, implied from the context, or customary in the art.

"Blend," "polymer blend" and like terms refer to a combination of two or more polymers. Such blends may or may not be miscible. Such combinations may or may not be phase separated. Such combinations may or may not include one or more domain configurations, as determined by transmission electron spectroscopy, light scattering, x-ray scattering, and any other method known in the art.

An “ethylene-based polymer” is a polymer that contains greater than 50% by weight (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) of polymerized ethylene monomer and, optionally, may contain at least one comonomer. Ethylene-based polymers include ethylene homopolymers and ethylene copolymers (meaning units derived from ethylene and one or more comonomers). The terms "ethylene-based polymer" and "polyethylene" may be used interchangeably. Non-limiting examples of ethylene-based polymers (polyethylene) include low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear polyethylene. Non-limiting examples of linear polyethylene include linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), ultra low density polyethylene (ULDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), multi-component ethylenic copolymers (EPE), ethylene/α-olefin multi-block copolymers (olefins) block copolymer (OBC)), single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (m-LLDPE), substantially linear or linear plastomer/elastomer, medium density polyethylene (MDPE), and high density polyethylene (HDPE) include In general, polyethylene is a heterogeneous catalyst system, such as a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a homogeneous catalyst system comprising a Group 4 transition metal and ligand structure, such as a metallocene, a non-metallocene metal-centered, heteroaryl , can be prepared in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor, a liquid slurry process reactor, or a liquid solution process reactor using a heterovalent aryloxyether, phosphinimine, or the like. Combinations of heterogeneous catalysts and/or homogeneous catalysts may also be used in single reactor or dual reactor configurations. In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer does not contain polymerized aromatic comonomers.

"Ethylene plastomer/elastomer" means a unit derived from ethylene and at least one C ₃ -C ₁₀ α-olefin comonomer or at least one C ₄ -C ₈ α-olefin comonomer or at least one C ₆ - substantially linear, or linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymers containing a uniform short chain branching distribution comprising units derived from C _{8 α-olefin comonomers.} The ethylene plastomer/elastomer is 0.870 g/cc, or 0.880 g/cc, or 0.890 g/cc to 0.900 g/cc, or 0.902 g/cc, or 0.904 g/cc, or 0.909 g/cc, or 0.910 g /cc, or 0.917 g/cc. Non-limiting examples of ethylene plastomers/elastomers include AFFINITY™ plastomers and elastomers (available from The Dow Chemical Company), EXACT™ plastomers (available from ExxonMobil Chemical), Tafmer™ (available from Mitsui) available), Nexlene™ (available from SK Chemicals Co.) and Lucene™ (available from LG Chem Ltd.).

"High Density Polyethylene" (or "HDPE") has a density greater than 0.94 g/cc or 0.945 g/cc or 0.95 g/cc or 0.955 g/cc to 0.96 g/cc or 0.97 g/cc or 0.98 g/cc and at least an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer or ethylene homopolymer having one C ₄ -C ₁₀ α-olefin comonomer, or a C ₄ -C _{8 α-olefin comonomer.} HDPE may be a monomodal copolymer or a multimodal copolymer. _{A “monomodal ethylene copolymer” is an ethylene/C 4} -C ₁₀ α-olefin copolymer that has one unique peak in gel permeation chromatography (GPC) showing a molecular weight distribution. _{A “multimodal ethylene copolymer” is an ethylene/C 4} -C ₁₀ α-olefin copolymer having at least two distinct peaks in the GPC that exhibit a molecular weight distribution. Multimodal includes copolymers having two peaks (bimodal) as well as copolymers having more than two peaks. Non-limiting examples of HDPE include DOW™ high density polyethylene (HDPE) resin, ELITE™ enhanced polyethylene resin, CONTINUUM™ bimodal polyethylene resin, each of which is available from The Dow Chemical Company; LUPOLEN™, available from LyondellBasell; and HDPE products from Borealis, Ineos, and ExxonMobil.

An “interpolymer” (or “copolymer”) is a polymer prepared by the polymerization of at least two different monomers. This generic term includes polymers prepared from two different monomers, and copolymers, which are generally used to refer to polymers prepared from more than two different monomers, eg, terpolymers, tetrapolymers, and the like.

"Low density polyethylene" (or "LDPE") is 0.915 g / cc to about 0.940 g / cc has a density of at least one C ₃ -C ₁₀ α- olefin containing long chain branches having a broad MWD, preferably C ₃ It consists of an ethylene/α-olefin copolymer comprising _{-C 4 , or an ethylene homopolymer.} LDPE is typically prepared by high pressure free radical polymerization (tubular reactor or autoclave with free radical initiator). Non-limiting examples of LDPE include MarFlex™ (Chevron Phillips), LUPOLEN™ (LyondellBasell), as well as LDPEs from Borealis, Ineos, ExxonMobil, etc. includes products.

"Linear low density polyethylene" (or "LLDPE") refers to units derived from ethylene and at least one C ₃ -C ₁₀ α-olefin comonomer or at least one C ₄ -C ₈ α-olefin comonomer, or at least one Linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymers containing a heterogeneous short chain branching distribution comprising units derived from C ₆ -C _{8 α-olefin comonomers.} Unlike conventional LDPE, LLDPE is characterized by little, if any, long chain branching. The LLDPE has a density from 0.910 g/cc or 0.915 g/cc or 0.920 g/cc or 0.925 g/cc to 0.930 g/cc or 0.935 g/cc or 0.940 g/cc. Non-limiting examples of LLDPE include TUFLIN™ linear low density polyethylene resin, DOWLEX™ polyethylene resin, each of which is available from The Dow Chemical Company; and MARLEX™ polyethylene (available from Chevron Phillips).

"Multicomponent ethylene-based copolymers" (or "EPEs") are described in Patent References US Pat. Nos. 6,111,023; US Pat. No. 5,677,383; and at least one C ₃ -C ₁₀ α-olefin comonomer or at least one C ₄ -C ₈ α-olefin comonomer or at least one C ₆ -C ₈ includes units derived from α-olefin comonomers. The EPE resin has a density from 0.905 g/cc or 0.908 g/cc or 0.912 g/cc or 0.920 g/cc to 0.926 g/cc or 0.929 g/cc or 0.940 g/cc or 0.962 g/cc. Non-limiting examples of EPE resins include ELITE™ reinforced polyethylene and ELITE AT™ advanced technology resins, each available from The Dow Chemical Company; SURPASS™ polyethylene (PE) resin, available from Nova Chemicals; and SMART ^™, which is available from SK Chemicals Co.

An “olefin-based polymer” or “polyolefin” is a polymer that contains more than 50 weight percent (based on the total amount of polymerizable monomers) polymerized olefin monomers and, optionally, may contain at least one comonomer. Non-limiting examples of olefin-based polymers include ethylene-based polymers and propylene-based polymers. "Olefin" and like terms refer to hydrocarbons composed of hydrogen and carbon whose molecules contain pairs of carbon atoms linked together by double bonds.

A “polymer” is a compound prepared by polymerizing monomers, whether of the same or different types, which in polymerized form provides multiple and/or repeating “units” or “mer units” that make up the polymer. Thus, while the generic term polymer encompasses “homopolymer,” a term commonly used to refer to polymers made from only one type of monomer, residual amounts of other components used to prepare the homopolymer, such as chain transfer Residual amounts of agents, etc. are not excluded. The term "copolymer" is commonly used to refer to polymers made from at least two types of monomers. The term also encompasses all forms of copolymers, eg, random, block, and the like. The terms “ethylene/α-olefin polymer” and “propylene/α-olefin polymer” refer to copolymers as described above prepared by polymerizing ethylene or propylene, respectively, with one or more additional polymerizable α-olefin monomers. . Although polymers are often referred to as "containing" a specified monomer content, "based on" a specified monomer or type of monomer, "made" of one or more specified monomers, and the like, in this context the term "monomer" refers to the polymerization of the specified monomers. It should be noted that it is understood to refer to an unpolymerized species and not to an unpolymerized species. In general, polymers herein refer to those based on "units" that are polymerized forms of the corresponding monomers.

"Single-site catalyzed linear low density polyethylene" (or "m-LLDPE") refers to units derived from ethylene and at least one C ₃ -C ₁₀ α-olefin comonomer or at least one C ₄ a linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymer containing a uniform short chain branching distribution comprising a —C ₈ α-olefin comonomer or _{units derived from at least one C 6} -C _{8 α-olefin comonomer.} m-LLDPE has a density from 0.913 g/cc or 0.918 g/cc or 0.920 g/cc to 0.925 g/cc or 0.940 g/cc. Non-limiting examples of m-LLDPE include EXCEED ^™ metallocene PE (available from ExxonMobil Chemical), LUFLEXEN™ m-LLDPE (available from LyondellBasell), and ELTEX™ PF m-LLDPE (available from Ineos Olefins & Polymers). possible) are included.

“Ultra-low density polyethylene” (or “ULDPE”) and “ultra-low density polyethylene” (or “VLDPE”) each represent a unit derived from ethylene and at least one C ₃ -C ₁₀ α-olefin comonomer or at least one C ₄ a linear ethylene/α-olefin copolymer containing a heterogeneous short chain branching distribution comprising a —C ₈ α-olefin comonomer or _{units derived from at least one C 6} -C _{8 α-olefin comonomer.} ULDPE and VLDPE each have a density of 0.885 g/cc, or 0.90 g/cc to 0.915 g/cc. Non-limiting examples of ULDPE and VLDPE include ATTANE™ ULDPE resin and FLEXOMER™ VLDPE resin, each available from The Dow Chemical Company.

"Melt blending" is a process in which at least two components are combined or otherwise mixed together and at least one of the components is in a molten state. Melt blending can be accomplished by one or more of a variety of known processes, such as batch mixing, extrusion blending, extrusion, and the like. A “melt blended” composition is a composition formed through the process of melt blending.

"Thermoplastic polymer" and like terms refer to linear or branched polymers that can repeatedly soften and flow when heated and return to a rigid state when cooled to room temperature. The thermoplastic polymer has a modulus of elasticity greater than 68.95 MPa (10,000 psi) as measured according to ASTM D638-72. Further, the thermoplastic polymer can be molded or extruded into articles of any predetermined shape when heated to a softened state.

"Thermoset polymer", "thermoset polymer" and like terms indicate that once cured, the polymer cannot be softened by heat and cannot be further molded. Once cured, thermoset polymers are spatial network polymers and are highly crosslinked to form rigid three-dimensional molecular structures.

details

The present disclosure provides pellets. In one embodiment, the pellets comprise a body composed of a polymeric material. The body has a first end and a second end located opposite the body. The body includes a length and a diameter. The body has a channel having a channel diameter. A channel extends through the body from a first end to a second end. An additive is placed within the channel.

pellet

Reference is made to the drawings, and with reference first to FIG. 1A , there is shown a plurality of pellets of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B shows individual pellets 10 , the pellets 10 comprising a body 20 . The body 20 includes a first end 15 and a second end 25 . Pellets 10 include channels 30 . A channel 30 extends through the body 20 from a first end 15 to a second end 25 . Pellets 10 having a body 20 and channels 30 extending therethrough are hereinafter referred to interchangeably as “hollow pellets”.

The body 20 is cylindrical. The body 20 includes a first end 15 and a second end 25, which ends are circular. The first end 15 and the second end 25 are located opposite the body 20 . The axis of symmetry A is located at the center of the circle formed by the ends 15 , 25 . The pellet 10 comprises channels 30 parallel to the axis of symmetry A. Channel 30 is cylindrical or generally cylindrical, and is located in the center of body 20 . Channel 30 spans the entire length of body 20 . Channel 30 extends from a first end 15 to a second end 25 .

The body 20 has a circular or generally circular cross-sectional shape. The body 20 is also cylindrical or generally cylindrical. The circular cross-sectional shape of the body 20 may vary (i.e., squeezed, pressed, or packaged) due to forces applied to the pellets 10 during production on an industrial scale and/or while the pellets are still handled in a molten state. It is understood that there is As a result, since the cross-sectional shape of the body 20 may be more elliptical than a circular shape, the definition of "a generally circular cross-sectional shape" is provided.

The body 20 and the channel 30 each have their respective diameters, namely a body diameter 40 and a channel diameter 45 . As used herein, the term “diameter” is the maximum length between two points on the body/channel surface extending through the center of the body/channel, ie through the axis of symmetry (A). That is, when the pellet 10 is elliptical (as opposed to circular), the diameter is the major axis of the ellipse. In one embodiment, the shape of the body 20 is similar to a hockey puck.

FIG. 2A shows the body diameter 40 and the channel diameter 45 for the pellet 10 . In one embodiment, the body diameter 40 is between 0.7 millimeters (mm) or 0.8 mm or 0.9 mm or 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm to 3.7 mm or 4.0 mm or 4.2 mm or 4.6 mm or 5.0 mm. In another embodiment, the body diameter 40 is between 0.7 and 5.0 mm, alternatively between 0.8 and 4.2 mm, or between 1.0 and 4.0 mm. In one embodiment, the channel diameter 45 is from 0.10 mm or 0.13 mm or 0.15 mm or 0.18 mm to 0.3 mm or 0.4 mm or 0.5 mm or 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm or 1 mm or 1.6 mm or 1.8 mm. In another embodiment, the channel diameter 45 is between 0.10 and 1.8 mm, or between 0.15 and 1.6 mm, or between 0.18 and 1 mm, or between 0.18 and 0.8 mm, or between 0.18 and 0.6 mm.

additive

Additive 100 is present in channel 30 as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and 4B.

In one embodiment, additive 100 comprises a material having at least one C-Si-O group. As used herein, the term "C-Si-O group" is a moiety in an organic molecule having a carbon atom covalently bonded to a silicon atom that is covalently bonded to an oxygen atom.

In one embodiment, the material having at least one C-Si-O group is a siloxane.

In one embodiment, the siloxane is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

In one embodiment, the material having at least one C-Si-O group is a silane. Silanes are hydrolysable silanes having the structural formula (A):

구조식(A);

Structural formula (A);

wherein R' is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group; x and y are 0 or 1 with the proviso that when x is 1, y is 1; n is an integer from 1 to 12 inclusive of both ends, or n is an integer from 1 to 4, and each R" is independently a hydrolysable organic group, such as an alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms (e.g. , methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy), aryloxy groups (eg phenoxy), araloxy groups (eg benzyloxy), aliphatic acyloxy groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms (eg For example, formyloxy, acetyloxy, propanoyloxy), an amino group or a substituted amino group (alkylamino, arylamino), or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms inclusive of both values, provided that 3 At least one of the R″ groups forms a Si—O bond with a silicon atom.

Non-limiting examples of suitable hydrolysable silanes include, but are not limited to, ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbyl groups, such as vinyl, allyl, isopropenyl, butenyl, cyclohexenyl or gamma-(meth)acryloxy allyl groups, such as hydrocarbyloxy groups. , a silane having a hydrolysable group, such as a hydrocarbonyloxy, or hydrocarbylamino group. Examples of hydrolyzable groups include methoxy, ethoxy, formyloxy, acetoxy, propionyloxy, and alkyl or arylamino groups.

In one embodiment, the hydrolyzable silanes are, for example, vinyl trimethoxy silane (VTMS), vinyl triethoxy silane, vinyl triacetoxy silane, gamma-(meth)acryloxy, propyl trimethoxy silane, and of these silanes. unsaturated alkoxy silanes, such as mixtures.

In one embodiment, additive 100 includes peroxides, silanes, catalysts, curing aids, antioxidants, azo compounds, flame retardants, metal deactivators, UV stabilizers, voltage stabilizers, tree retarders, or combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of suitable peroxides include cumene hydrogen peroxide, dicumyl peroxide (DCP), isopropylcumyl t-butyl peroxide, t-butyl cumylperoxide, isopropyl cumylperoxide, di(isopropylcumyl) peroxide, di-t-amyl peroxide (DTAP), di-t-butyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, lauryl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) peroxide, bis(1, 1-dimethylpropyl) peroxide, t-butyl peracetate, t-butyl peroctoate, t-butyl peroxybenzoate, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethylperoxy) Hexane, 2,5-Dimethyl-2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethylperoxy)hexyne, 2,5-bis(t-butyl peroxy)-2,5-dimethylhexane, 2,5-bis (t-Butyl peroxy)-2,5-dimethylhexyne, 3,1,1-bis(t-butyl peroxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 1,1-bis(1,1- dimethylethylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, bis(α-t-butyl-peroxyisopropyl)benzene (BIPB), butyl 4,4-di(tert-butylperoxy)valerate, and 4,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethylperoxy) valeric acid.

Non-limiting examples of suitable catalysts include coordination complexes comprising tin with an organic ligand such as a dialkyltin dicarboxylate. In one embodiment, dialkyltin dicarboxylate is di((C1-C10)alkyl)tin dicarboxylate, dialkyltin di(C8-C18)carboxylate, di((C1-C10)alkyl) tin di(C8-C18)carboxylate, di((C3-C5)alkyl)tin di(C10-C14)carboxylate, di((C4)alkyl)tin di(C12)carboxylate, or their It is a combination. In another embodiment, the dialkyltin dicarboxylate is dibutyltin dilaurate.

Non-limiting examples of suitable curing aids include 2-allylphenyl allyl ether; 4-isopropenyl-2,6-dimethylphenyl allyl ether; 2,6-dimethyl-4-allylphenyl allyl ether; 2-methoxy-4-allylphenyl allyl ether; 2,2'-diallyl bisphenol A; O,O'-diallyl bisphenol A (or tetramethyl diallylbisphenol A); 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene (or 1,3-diisopropenylbenzene)', triallyl isocyanurate ("TAIC"); triallyl cyanurate (“TAC”), triallyl trimellitate (“TATM”); N,N,N',N',N",N"-hexaallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine ("HATATA") (referred to as N2,N2,N4,N4 ,N6,N6-hexaallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine); triallyl orthoformate; pentaerythritol triallyl ether; triallyl citrate (or triallyl aconitate); trimethylolpropane triacrylate (“TMPTA”); trimethylolpropane trimethylacrylate (“TMPTMA”); ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate; 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate; pentaerythritol tetraacrylate; dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate; tris(2-hydroxyethyl) isocyanurate triacrylate; propoxylated glyceryl triacrylate; trimethylallyl isocyanurate (TMAIC); N,N-m-phenylene dimaleimide; and zinc dimethacrylate.

Non-limiting examples of suitable antioxidants include bis(4-(1-methyl-1-phenylethyl)phenyl)amine, 2,2′-methylene-bis(4-methyl-6-t-butylphenol), 2, 2'-thiobis(2-t-butyl-5-methylphenol, 4,4'-thiobis(2-t-butyl-5-methylphenol) (or 4,4'-thiobis(6-tert- Butyl-m-cresol)), 2,2'-thiobis(6-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, tris[(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylphenyl)methyl] -1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione, pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-(3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl)propio nate, 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxybenzenepropanoic acid, 2,2'-thiodiethanediyl ester, distearyl thiodipropionate ("DSTDP"), dira Uryl thiodipropionate, stearyl 3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate, 2,4-bis(dodecylthiomethyl)-6-methylphenol, 4 ,6-bis(octylthiomethyl)-o-cresol, 2',3-bis[[3-[3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl]propionyl]]propionohydrazide; 4,4′-bis-(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)diphenylamine, and sulfanediyldiethane-2,1-diyl-bis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy) phenyl) propanoate].

A non-limiting example of a suitable azo compound is 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile.

In one embodiment, the additive is an additive blend. The additive blend comprises two or more additives as described herein.

In one embodiment, the additive blend includes a carrier. Non-limiting examples of suitable carriers include olefinic polymers, waxes, and combinations thereof. The two or more additives of the additive blend are homogeneously dispersed throughout the carrier.

In one embodiment, the carrier comprises a solidifying agent.

In one embodiment, the solidifying agent is a nucleating agent. Non-limiting examples of suitable nucleating agents include talc, carboxylate salts (eg, sodium benzoate), sorbitol acetal, fining agents, phosphate ester salts, organic pigments, and inorganic pigments. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the mixture of the carrier and the solidifying agent may promote solidification of the additive in the carrier located within the pellet.

In one embodiment, the carrier is a wax. In another embodiment, the wax has a density greater than ^{0.94 g/cm 3 .}

A carrier may comprise two or more of the embodiments described herein.

In one embodiment, the additive blend comprises from 1% to 99% by weight of two or more additives and from 1% to 99% by weight of the carrier. Weight percentages are based on the total weight of the additive blend.

In one embodiment, the additive blend comprises a peroxide, a catalyst, a silane, a metal deactivator, an antioxidant, a UV stabilizer, a voltage stabilizer, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the additive blend comprises a carrier.

In one embodiment, the additive blend comprises 60 wt% or 70 wt% or 80 wt% to 90 wt% or 96 wt% silane; 1 wt % or 2 wt % or 5 wt % or 8 wt % to 10 wt % or 15 wt % or 20 wt % peroxide; and 1 wt % or 2 wt % or 3 wt % to 4 wt % or 5 wt % or 8 wt % catalyst. In another embodiment, the additive blend comprises 70% to 96% silane, 1% to 10% peroxide, and 1% to 5% catalyst by weight.

In one embodiment, the additive blend comprises a peroxide, a curing aid, a flame retardant, a tree retardant, an antioxidant, a UV stabilizer, a voltage stabilizer, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the additive blend comprises a carrier.

In one embodiment, the additive blend comprises 50 wt% or 60 wt% or 70 wt% to 80 wt% or 90 wt% or 99 wt% carrier and 50 wt% or 40 wt% or 30 wt% to 20 wt% or 10% or 1% by weight of a curing aid. In another embodiment, the additive blend comprises from 50 to 99%, or from 70 to 80% by weight of the carrier, and from 50 to 1%, or from 30 to 20% by weight of a curing aid. Weight percentages are based on the total weight of the additive blend.

Some of the additives or additive blends may or may not be absorbed into the body 20 through the channels 30 . Some of the additives or additive blends may or may not adsorb to the channel surface. In one embodiment, a portion of the additive is absorbed into the body 20 through the channel 30 and a portion of the additive (or additive blend) is adsorbed to the channel surface. As used herein, the term “absorbed” and its derivatives (ie, “absorbed”) is the assimilation of molecular species of an additive throughout (ie, within) the bulk of body 20 . As used herein, the term “adsorbed” and its derivatives (ie, “adsorbed”) is the accumulation of molecular species of an additive at the surface of the body rather than inside the bulk of the body 20 .

The additive may include two or more embodiments described herein.

Pellet Dimensions

The pellet 10 has a channel diameter to body diameter (CBD) ratio. As used herein, the term "channel diameter to body diameter (or "CBD") ratio" refers to the result obtained by dividing the channel diameter by the body diameter (ie, CBD is the quotient of the channel diameter and the body diameter). For example, if the channel diameter is 2.0 mm and the body diameter is 7.0 mm, the CBD ratio is 0.29. In one embodiment, the CBD ratio is 0.03 or 0.05 or 0.07 or 0.11 to 0.13 or 0.15 or 0.2 or 0.25 or 0.3 or 0.35 or 0.4 or 0.45 or 0.5. In one embodiment, the CBD ratio is from 0.03 to 0.5, alternatively from 0.05 to 0.45, alternatively from 0.05 to 0.25, alternatively from 0.05 to 0.15, alternatively from 0.11 to 0.15.

2b shows the length 35 of the body 20 . In one embodiment, length 35 is 0.4 mm or 0.8 mm or 1 mm or 1.2 mm or 1.4 mm or 1.5 mm or 1.6 mm or 1.7 mm to 1.9 mm or 2 mm or 2.2 mm or 2.5 mm or 3 mm or 3.3 mm or 3.5 mm or 4 mm. In another embodiment, the length 35 is from 0.4 to 4 mm, alternatively from 0.8 to 3.5 mm, alternatively from 1 to 3.5 mm, alternatively from 1.4 to 2.5 mm, alternatively from 1.5 to 1.9 mm.

In one embodiment (i) length 35 is 0.4 mm or 0.8 mm or 1 mm or 1.2 mm or 1.4 mm or 1.5 mm or 1.6 mm or 1.7 mm to 1.9 mm or 2 mm or 2.2 mm or 2.5 mm or 3 mm or 3.3 mm or 3.5 mm or 4 mm; (ii) the body diameter 40 is 0.7 millimeters (mm) or 0.8 mm or 0.9 mm or 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm to 3.7 mm or 4.0 mm or 4.2 mm or 4.6 mm or 5.0 mm; (iii) the channel diameter 45 is from 0.10 mm or 0.13 mm or 0.15 mm or 0.18 mm to 0.3 mm or 0.4 mm or 0.5 mm or 0.6 mm or 0.8 mm or 1 mm or 1.6 mm or 1.8 mm. In another embodiment, (i) length 35 is from 0.4 to 4 mm, alternatively from 0.8 to 3.5 mm, alternatively from 1 to 3.5 mm, alternatively from 1.4 to 2.5 mm, alternatively from 1.5 to 1.9 mm; (ii) the body diameter 40 is from 0.7 to 5.0 mm, alternatively from 0.8 to 4.2 mm, alternatively from 1.0 to 4.0 mm; (iii) the channel diameter 45 is from 0.10 to 1.8 mm, alternatively from 0.15 to 1.6 mm, alternatively from 0.18 to 1 mm, alternatively from 0.18 to 0.8 mm, alternatively from 0.18 to 0.6 mm.

Turning to FIG. 1B , the first side 55 of the pellet 10 is shown. The first face 55 is located at the first end 15 . The first orifice 50 is positioned at the center of the first surface 55 . The first orifice 50 is circular or generally circular in shape and opens into the channel 30 . The first orifice 50 has an area that is a function of the channel diameter 45 . It is understood that this region of the first orifice 50 is an empty space, and that the first orifice 50 has no surface. The first face 55 and the first orifice 50 form concentric circles bisected by the axis of symmetry A. The first face 55 has a surface that does not include the first orifice 50 . That is, the first surface 55 has a flat ring shape.

The second orifice 60 is located at the center of the second surface 65 . The second orifice 60 is circular or generally circular in shape and opens into the channel 30 . The second orifice 60 has an area that is a function of the channel diameter 45 . It is understood that this region of the second orifice 60 is an empty space, and that the second orifice 60 has no surface. The second face 65 and the second orifice 60 form concentric circles bisected by the axis of symmetry A. The second face 65 has a surface that does not include the second orifice 60 . That is, the second surface 65 has a flat ring shape.

The first face 55 has a “first surface area” that is the result of the equation (0.25 x π x [(body diameter 40) ² - (channel diameter 45) ^{2 ]).} The second face 65 has a “second surface area” that is the result of the equation (0.25 x π x [(body diameter 40) ² - (channel diameter 45) ^{2 ]).} The surface area of the first side 55 is equal to the surface area of the second side 65 .

The body 20 has a body surface that includes a “facial surface”. The facial surface includes a first face 55 and a second face 65 . The facial surface has a “facial surface area” that is the sum of the surface area of the first side 55 and the surface area of the second side 65 . The facial surface area is the result of the equation 2 x (0.25 x π x [(body diameter (40)) ² - (channel diameter (45)) ² ]).

3 shows the shell 70 . The shell 70 is the outer surface of the body 20 parallel to the axis of symmetry A. The sheath 70 is cylindrical or generally cylindrical. Shell 70 includes a "shell surface" and a "shell surface area", the shell surface area being the result of the equation (π x body diameter (40) x length (35)). The body 20 has a “body surface” that includes a skin surface and a facial surface. The body surface has a “body surface area” which is the sum of the skin surface area and the facial surface area. In one embodiment, the body surface area is between 25 square millimeters (mm ² ) or 30 mm ² or 32 mm ² or 34 mm ² or 35 mm ² to 40 mm ² or 45 mm ² or 50 mm ² . In another embodiment, the body surface area is between 25 and 50 mm ² , or between 30 and 45 mm ² , or between 35 and 40 mm ² .

Channel 30 has a channel surface 75 comprising a “channel surface area”. The channel surface area is the result of the equation (π x channel diameter (45) x length (35)). In one embodiment, the channel surface area is 0.5 mm ² or 1 mm ² or 2 mm ² or 3 mm ² to 6 mm ² 7 mm ² or 8 mm ² or 9 mm ² or 10 mm ² or 11 mm ² . In another embodiment, the channel surface area is between 0.5 and 11 mm ² , or between 1 and 9 mm ² , or between 1 and 8 mm ² , or between 2 and 8 mm ² .

The pellet 10 has a surface area that is the sum of the body surface area and the channel surface area. In one embodiment, the pellet surface area is 4 mm ² or 15 mm ² or 25 mm ² or 30 mm ² or 35 mm ² to 40 mm ² or 45 mm ² or 50 mm ² or 60 mm ² or 70 mm ² or 80 mm ² is In another embodiment, the pellet surface area is between 15 and 80 mm ² , or between 30 and 60 mm ² , or between 35 and 50 mm ² .

In one embodiment (i) length 35 is 0.4 mm or 0.8 mm or 1 mm or 1.2 mm or 1.4 mm or 1.5 mm or 1.6 mm or 1.7 mm to 1.9 mm or 2 mm or 2.2 mm or 2.5 mm or 3 mm or 3.3 mm or 3.5 mm or 4 mm; (ii) the body diameter 40 is from 0.7 mm or 0.8 mm or 0.9 mm or 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm to 3.7 mm or 4.0 mm or 4.2 mm or 4.6 mm or 5.0 mm; (iii) the pellet surface area is 4 mm ² or 15 mm ² or 25 mm ² or 30 mm ² or 35 mm ² to 40 mm ² or 45 mm ² or 50 mm ² or 60 mm ² or 70 mm ² or 80 mm ² and ; (iv) the CBD ratio is 0.03 or 0.05 or 0.07 or 0.11 to 0.13 or 0.15 or 0.2 or 0.25 or 0.3 or 0.35 or 0.4 or 0.45 or 0.5. In another embodiment, (i) length 35 is from 0.4 to 4 mm, alternatively from 0.8 to 3.5 mm, alternatively from 1 to 3.5 mm, alternatively from 1.4 to 2.5 mm, alternatively from 1.5 to 1.9 mm; (ii) the body diameter 40 is from 0.7 to 5.0 mm, alternatively from 0.8 to 4.2 mm, alternatively from 1.0 to 4.0 mm; (iii) the pellet surface area is from 15 to 80 mm ² , alternatively from 30 to 60 mm ² , alternatively from 35 to 50 mm ² ; (iv) the CBD ratio is from 0.03 to 0.5, alternatively from 0.05 to 0.45, alternatively from 0.05 to 0.25, alternatively from 0.05 to 0.15, alternatively from 0.11 to 0.15.

As used herein, the term "standard pellet" refers to a channelless pellet that would have been identical to the pellet 10 of the present disclosure had it had channels. That is, standard pellets have the same body diameter 40 and body length 35 as the pellets 10 , and are made of the same polymer material as the body 20 of the pellets 10 . In one embodiment, the surface area of the pellets 10 is greater than that of standard pellets. The ratio of the pellet surface area to the standard pellet surface area is termed "PSP ratio". In one embodiment, the PSP ratio is 1.02 or 1.03 or 1.05 or 1.07 to 1.09 or 1.1 or 1.11 or 1.12 or 1.15 or 1.2 or 1.4. In one embodiment, the PSP ratio is between 1.02 and 1.4, or between 1.05 and 1.15, or between 1.05 and 1.11.

The pellet 10 has a channel surface area to body surface area (CSBS) ratio. As used herein, the term "channel surface area to body surface area (or CSBS) ratio" refers to the result obtained by dividing the channel surface area by the body surface area (i.e., CSBS is the quotient of the channel surface area divided by the body surface area). For example, if the channel surface area is 2.0 mm ² and the body surface area is 7.0 mm ² , the CSBS ratio is 0.29. In one embodiment, the CSBS ratio is 0.02 or 0.03 or 0.06 or 0.10 or 0.13 to 0.15 or 0.18 or 0.21 or 0.23 or 0.25 or 0.3. In one embodiment, the CSBS ratio is from 0.02 to 0.3, alternatively from 0.03 to 0.25, alternatively from 0.03 to 0.23, alternatively from 0.03 to 0.21, alternatively from 0.03 to 0.18.

In one embodiment (i) length 35 is 0.4 mm or 0.8 mm or 1 mm or 1.2 mm or 1.4 mm or 1.5 mm or 1.6 mm or 1.7 mm to 1.9 mm or 2 mm or 2.2 mm or 2.5 mm or 3 mm or 3.3 mm or 3.5 mm or 4 mm; (ii) the body diameter 40 is from 0.7 mm or 0.8 mm or 0.9 mm or 1.0 mm or 1.5 mm to 3.7 mm or 4.0 mm or 4.2 mm or 4.6 mm or 5.0 mm; (iii) the pellet surface area is 4 mm ² or 15 mm ² or 25 mm ² or 30 mm ² or 35 mm ² to 40 mm ² or 45 mm ² or 50 mm ² or 60 mm ² or 70 mm ² or 80 mm ² and ; (iv) the CSBS ratio is 0.02 or 0.03 or 0.06 or 0.10 or 0.13 to 0.15 or 0.18 or 0.21 or 0.23 or 0.25 or 0.3. In another embodiment, (i) length 35 is from 0.4 to 4 mm, alternatively from 0.8 to 3.5 mm, alternatively from 1 to 3.5 mm, alternatively from 1.4 to 2.5 mm, alternatively from 1.5 to 1.9 mm; (ii) the body diameter 40 is from 0.7 to 5.0 mm, alternatively from 0.8 to 4.2 mm, alternatively from 1.0 to 4.0 mm; (iii) the pellet surface area is from 15 to 80 mm ² , alternatively from 30 to 60 mm ² , alternatively from 35 to 50 mm ² ; (iv) the CSBS ratio is from 0.02 to 0.3, alternatively from 0.03 to 0.25, alternatively from 0.03 to 0.23, alternatively from 0.03 to 0.21, alternatively from 0.03 to 0.18.

1B shows that the first end 15 and the second end 25 are open ends.

4a and 4b show a closed pellet 80 . The closed pellets 80 include a first closed end 82 and a second closed end 84 . The remaining features of the closed pellet 80 are the same as those of the pellet 10 as described herein.

The body 20 is constructed of a polymer material. In one embodiment, the polymeric material is an ethylene-based polymer, an olefin-based polymer (ie, a polyolefin polyolefin), a crosslinkable polyolefin, a polyamide, a polyimide, a polyester, an aromatic polyester, a polyacrylonitrile, a polycarbonate, a polyethylene terephthalate. Phthalate, polysulfide, polysulfone, polyurethane, polyether, polystyrene, polythioether, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl chloride, phenolformaldehyde resin, wax, hot melt adhesive, thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane, rubber, aromatic vinyl polymers, aliphatic vinyl polymers, aromatic alkenyl polymers, and copolymers thereof. In another embodiment, the polymeric material is selected from organic polymers, propylene-based polymers, thermoplastic polymers, thermoset polymers, polymer melt-blends, polymer blends thereof, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, the polymeric material for the body 20 is an ethylene homopolymer.

In one embodiment, the polymeric material for the body 20 is an ethylene-based polymer. Non-limiting examples of ethylene-based polymers include ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers and ethylene/α-olefin copolymers. In one embodiment, the α-olefins include C ₃ -C ₂₀ α-olefins and C ₃ -C ₈ α-olefins. In another embodiment, the α-olefin is linear, branched, or cyclic. Non-limiting examples of suitable α-olefins include propylene, 1-butene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene and 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-hexadecene, and 1-octadecene. Non-limiting examples of suitable cyclic α-olefins include cyclohexene and cyclopentene. Non-limiting examples of suitable ethylene/α-olefin interpolymers include ethylene/propylene, ethylene/1-butene, ethylene/1-hexene, ethylene/1-octene, ethylene/propylene/1-octene, ethylene/propylene/1-octene. butene, and ethylene/1-butene/1-octene.

In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is an ethylene/α-repine interpolymer. In one embodiment, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer comprises 1 wt% or 5 wt% or 10 wt% or 15 wt% or 20 wt% or 25 wt% to 35 wt% or 45 wt% or 50 wt% α - have an olefin content. In another embodiment, the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer has an α-olefin content of from 1 to 50% by weight, alternatively from 5 to 45% by weight, alternatively from 10 to 40% by weight. Weight percentages are based on the total weight of the interpolymer.

In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is selected from low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear-low density polyethylene (LLDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), and combinations of two or more thereof.

In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is LDPE. In another embodiment, the LDPE has ^{a density of 0.92 g/cm 3} and a melt index (I ₂ ) of 2 g/10 min.

In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is LLDPE.

In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is a blend of two or more ethylene-based polymers described herein. In another embodiment, the ethylene-based polymers of the blend are blended by an in-reactor process or post-reactor process.

The polymeric material may comprise two or more embodiments disclosed herein.

Way

The present disclosure provides a method. In one embodiment, the method includes forming pellets in a molten state. The pellet has a body. The body has a first end and an opposing second end. The body is made of a polymer material. The pellets have channels extending through the body from a first end to a second end. The method includes injecting an additive into the channel. The additive is in a fluid state. The method includes solidifying the pellets and forming the loaded pellets with the additive in the channels.

Formation of the pellets 10 occurs when the olefinic polymer (constituting the body 20) is in a molten state. As used herein, the term "molten state" is an olefinic polymer that has been heated to a molten plastic state. That is, the olefinic polymer in the molten state is an extrudate that is extrudable or otherwise flowable or flowable through an extruder and/or die plate. In one embodiment, the olefin-based polymer is an ethylene-based polymer in the molten state. In another embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer in the molten state is LDPE in the molten state.

The method includes injecting an additive into the channel 30 . The additive may be any additive as previously disclosed herein. The additive is injected into the channel 30 when (i) the additive is in a fluid state and (ii) when the pellet is in a molten state. As used herein, the term "fluid state" is one in which the additive is in a flowable state, or otherwise in a state in which the additive is flowable.

The method includes solidifying the pellets and an additive to form a chargeable pellet. The loaded (and solidified) pellets contain additives in the channel 30 . The additives present in the channels of the loaded pellets may be in a liquid state, or they may be solid.

In one embodiment, solidifying comprises cooling the olefinic polymer of the body in a molten state from an elevated temperature to ambient conditions (room temperature).

The method includes forming chargeable pellets. As used herein, the term “loaded pellets” refers to pellets (hollow pellets) having an amount of additive located within the channel 30 . In one embodiment, the additive adheres to the channel surface such that it remains within the channel 30 but does not flow freely from the channel.

In one embodiment, the method comprises cutting pellets in a molten state, the extrudate exiting the extruder die plate and entering an underwater bath, thereby cooling and solidifying the pellets and additives to form chargeable pellets.

In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting an additive into the channel. In one embodiment, the additive is in a fluid state. In another embodiment, the additive comprises a material having at least one C-Si-O group. The method includes forming a loaded pellet in which a material having at least one C-Si-O group is in a channel.

In one embodiment, the additive is an additive blend comprising (i) one or more additives and (ii) a carrier. The carrier is a polyolefin (eg, an ethylene-based polymer, etc.).

In one embodiment, the additive comprises 60% or 70% or 80% to 90% or 96% by weight of silane; 1 wt % or 2 wt % or 5 wt % or 8 wt % to 10 wt % or 15 wt % or 20 wt % peroxide; and 1 wt % or 2 wt % or 3 wt % to 4 wt % or 5 wt % or 8 wt % catalyst. In another embodiment, the additive is an additive blend comprising 70% to 96% silane, 1% to 10% peroxide, and 1% to 5% catalyst by weight. Weight percentages are based on the total weight of the additive blend.

In one embodiment, the additive comprises 50% or 60% or 70% to 80% or 90% or 99% by weight of the carrier and 50% or 40% or 30% to 20% by weight of the carrier. or an additive blend comprising 10% or 1% by weight of a curing aid. In yet another embodiment, the additive is an additive blend comprising 50 to 99 weight percent, or 70 to 80 weight percent of a carrier, and 50 to 1 weight percent, or 30 to 20 weight percent of a curing aid. Weight percentages are based on the total weight of the additive blend.

The additive blend (eg, an additive blend of silane and peroxide and a carrier in which the catalyst is dispersed) is in a fluid state when injected into the channel 30 . That is, the blend of silane, peroxide, and a carrier in which the catalyst is dispersed is in a molten plastic state when injected into the channel 30 .

In one embodiment, as disclosed above, the body has a length and a diameter (body diameter), and the channel has a channel diameter. The method includes forming the loaded pellets having a channel diameter to body diameter ratio of 0.05 to 0.15.

In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a chargeable pellet (with silane in channel 30 ) having at least one closed end. In another embodiment, the method comprises forming a loaded pellet having two closed ends (with a silane in the channel).

In one embodiment, the pellets 10 are prepared as disclosed in co-pending application __________, filed on ___________ date (Attorney Docket No. 82430-WO-PCT), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. .

Hereinafter, by way of non-limiting example, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail in the following examples.

Example

The raw materials used to formulate the inventive examples (“IE”) are provided in Table 1 below.

Comparative Sample 1 (CS-1) and Inventive Examples 1 to 8 (IE-1 to IE-8) were prepared under the process conditions listed in Table 2 with XUS 38658.00 as extrudate. The extrusion process uses a Coperion ZSK-26 twin screw extruder and a weight loss feeder (K-Tron model KCLQX3). Fluid 50 (e.g., air or N ₂ ) is injected into the extrudate. The Gala underwater rotating blade device forms pellets. The extruder is equipped with 26 millimeter (mm) diameter twin screws and 11 barrel segments, 10 of which are independently controlled by electric heating and water cooling. The length to diameter ratio of the extruder is 44:1. To minimize shear heating of the polymer melt, a light strength screw design is used.

As listed in Table 3, fluid filled pellets (IE-1 to IE-8) were prepared by injecting nitrogen gas into the extrudate. IE-1 to IE-6 were prepared using a nitrogen flow rate of 10 mL/min and a nitrogen pressure of 34 kPag (5 psig) to 410 kPag (60 psig). IE-7 and IE-8 were prepared using a nitrogen flow rate of 50 mL/min and a nitrogen pressure of 69 kPag (10 psig).

The dimensions of the pellets formed from process conditions IE-1 to IE-8 in Table 2 were imaged with an optical microscope. The optical microscopy results of pellets IE-1 to IE-8 are listed in Table 3.

Inventive Examples 9 to 20 (IE-9 to IE-20) were prepared under the extrusion process conditions listed in Table 4 below. Injection of an additive - a silicone oil - into an extrudate using a die assembly disclosed in co-pending application __________ (attorney docket no. Except that, IE-9 through IE-20 are manufactured using the same process described above. Fill-in pellets with silicone oil at the pressures listed in Table 4.

The dimensions of the loaded pellets (silicone oil added to the channel) formed under process conditions IE-9 to IE-20 in Table 4 were imaged with an optical microscope. The optical microscopy results of pellets IE-9 to IE-20 are listed in Table 5 below.

As expressly intended, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and examples contained herein, but the scope of these embodiments, including some of the embodiments and combinations of elements of various embodiments, falling within the scope of the following claims. Modified form.

Claims (15)

As pellets,
a body having a first end and an opposing second end, the body being made of a polymeric material, the body having a length and a diameter (body diameter);
a channel having a diameter (channel diameter) and extending through the body from the first end to the second end; and
A pellet comprising an additive in said channel. The pellet of claim 1 , wherein the additive comprises a material having at least one C—Si—O group. 3. The pellet of claim 1 or 2, wherein the additive further comprises a peroxide. 4. The pellet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the additive further comprises triallyl isocyanurate (TAIC). 4. The pellet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the additive further comprises a silane. 6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
each end has a respective orifice and a respective face;
the body has a surface comprising a skin and a facial surface, the body surface having a body surface area comprising a skin surface area and a facial surface area;
wherein the body surface area is between 25 mm ² and 50 mm ² . 7. The pellet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the channel diameter is between 0.18 millimeters (mm) and 1 mm. Pellets according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length is between 1.5 mm and 1.9 mm and the body diameter is between 0.8 mm and 4.2 mm. 9. The pellet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the ends is closed. 10. The pellet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each end is closed. 11. The body of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the body comprises: polyolefin, crosslinkable polyolefin, polyamide, polyimide, polyester, polycarbonate, polysulfide, polysulfone, polyurethane, polyether, polythio Pellets comprising a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of ethers, waxes, hot melt adhesives, thermoplastic elastomers, rubbers, aromatic vinyl polymers, aliphatic vinyl polymers, aromatic alkenyl polymers, and copolymers thereof. As a method,
forming pellets in a molten state, wherein the pellets have a body, the body having a first end and an opposing second end and being composed of a polymeric material, the pellets extending from the first end to the second end having a channel extending through the body;
injecting an additive in a fluid state into the channel;
solidifying the pellet; and
and forming loaded pellets comprising said additive in said channel. 13. The method of claim 12,
injecting an additive in a fluid state comprising a material having at least one C-Si-O group into the channel; and
and a material having at least one C-Si-O group is in the channel. 14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the body has a length, a diameter (body diameter), and a surface comprising a skin and a facial surface, the body surface having a body surface area comprising a skin surface area and a facial surface area;
The method is
A method comprising the step of forming a loaded pellet having a body surface area of 25 mm ² to 50 mm ^{2 .} 15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14,
A method comprising forming a chargeable pellet having at least one closed end.

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